UA’s Epitropoulos Narrows His Choices

Wide receiver/defensive back Frank Epitropoulos
(Upper Arlington, Ohio/Upper Arlington) and his parents have been to
Ohio State many times. The latest visit was Saturday for the Buckeyes’
spring game.

Wide receiver/defensive back Frank Epitropoulos
(Upper Arlington, Ohio/Upper Arlington) and his parents have been to
Ohio State many times. The latest visit was today for the Buckeyes’
spring game.

“It
was pretty good,” Epitropoulos said. “I got a chance to talk to all the
coaches. They treated me nicely. I talked to coach (Jim) Tressel – but
not about football – about other stuff.”

Living in suburban Columbus and having a father and uncle who
played for the Buckeyes, Epitropoulos follows Ohio State football and of
course is familiar with the OSU team. In general he liked what he saw
today in Ohio Stadium.

“They looked pretty good,” Epitropoulos said. “They are young
overall. Without the five suspended players the young guys have to step
up.”

The 6-foot-3 and 195-pound Epitropoulos is one of the top
athletes in the state of Ohio. Epitropoulos has been a starter at wide
receiver for the Golden Bears since his sophomore season. He played wide
receiver and free safety during his junior season and also did his
team’s punting.

Epitropoulos caught 29 passes for 500 yards during his junior
season. He had five touchdowns and scored twice on defense. Epitropoulos
averaged 42.3 yards per punt and was a second-team All Ohio selection
as a punter.

Epitropoulos attended the Buckeyes’ spring game with his mother,
father and sister. The four also visited Wisconsin last weekend and
Stanford on Monday and Tuesday.

“I really liked the new head coach, David Shaw,” Epitropoulos said. “I think he’ll keep the program up there.

“The campus is amazing. The weather is really good. It’s hard not to have a good time there.”

Epitropoulos had scholarship offers from Ohio State, Wisconsin,
Michigan State, Stanford, Purdue, West Virginia, Duke, Kent State, Miami
of Ohio and Toledo. He has been saying Ohio State, Wisconsin, Stanford
and Michigan State are his top four choices. Now that he has visited
those four, all in the past month or so, he has taken things a step
further.

“It’s down to those four,” Epitropoulos said. “I’m getting closer
(to deciding). I’ll decide sometime before the football season, but I
don’t think it will be in the next couple of days.”

When asked what Ohio State has going for it, Epitropoulos said,
“It’s right down the street. My family is from here – that’s one of the
biggest plusses. And it’s one of the best football programs in the
country.”

Epitropoulos’ father John and uncle Ernie both played for the
Buckeyes. Now Tressel hopes a third Epitropoulos is also a Buckeye.

Bill Kurelic’s Comment: There is no doubt Epitropoulos is
considering all four of his finalists. However, in the end I continue to
think he will go with the Buckeyes.